Article

Liposuction

Liposuction (also called lipoplasty, suction-assisted lipectomy, or lipo) is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat from targeted areas of the body using suction. In gluteoplasty, liposuction is used both to harvest fat for transfer (e.g., in a Brazilian Butt Lift) and to reduce or sculpt the buttocks and surrounding regions for a more harmonious contour.

Techniques

Tumescent Liposuction: Involves injecting a large volume of dilute local anaesthetic and epinephrine to swell (tumesce) the fat, making it easier to remove and reducing bleeding.
Ultrasonic Liposuction: Uses ultrasound energy to liquefy fat before suction. Especially useful for fibrous or dense areas. See ultrasonic_liposuction.
Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL): Utilises a vibrating cannula to break up fat, reducing surgeon fatigue and improving precision.
Microcannula Techniques: Employs very small cannulas (1–3 mm) for fine sculpting and reduced trauma.
Lymph-Sparing Liposuction: Specialised for conditions like lipoedema, aiming to preserve lymphatic vessels.

Indications

Body contouring after weight loss or pregnancy
Fat harvesting for transfer (e.g., BBL)
Correction of contour irregularities
Treatment of medical conditions (e.g., lipoedema, lipomas)

Risks & Complications

Contour Irregularities: Unevenness, dimpling, or asymmetry. See contour_irregularities.
Seroma: Fluid accumulation. See seroma.
Infection: Risk at incision or cannula sites.
Fat Embolism: Rare but potentially fatal, especially with fat transfer. See fat_embolism.
Paresthesia: Numbness or altered sensation. See paresthesia.
Skin Necrosis: Rare, due to compromised blood supply.
Burns: Possible with ultrasonic or laser-assisted techniques.
Scarring: Usually minimal, but can be more prominent in some individuals.

Aftercare

Post-liposuction care includes compression garments, wound care, and gradual return to activity. See aftercare.

Writing Tips

Use sensory detail: Describe the feel of swelling, the pressure of compression garments, or the emotional impact of seeing new contours emerge.
Show the process: From pre-op anxiety to post-op vulnerability and anticipation.
Acknowledge variability: Not all results are perfect; healing and satisfaction differ by individual.

Example

"She pressed her palm to her hip, feeling the subtle ache beneath the compression garment. Each day, the swelling faded, and her new curves became more defined—a transformation both thrilling and strange."

Why this works: The example uses tactile and emotional detail to evoke the post-liposuction experience.